The Real Cost of Hiring a Domestic Helper in Singapore: Your Complete 2026 Monthly Breakdown

So you are thinking about hiring a domestic helper. Maybe you have got a newborn on the way, your parents are getting older and need more help around the house, or you are just tired of spending your weekends cleaning instead of resting. Whatever the reason, the first question that usually comes up is: how much is this actually going to cost me? It is a fair question. Between the salary, the levy, the insurance, the food, and all the little things that add up, the numbers can feel overwhelming — so let's break the real 2026

numbers down, line by line.

At a glance: What does a maid cost in Singapore in 2026?

One-time setup: ~$2,300–$4,000 (placement fee, insurance, medical, airfare, bond). Monthly salary: $550–$700 for a new helper. MOM levy: $60/month (concessionary) or $300/month (standard). Food budget: $200–$400/month. Total monthly cost: $880–$1,830 depending on levy rate and food budget. Typical scenario: ~$985/month (citizen family, concessionary levy) vs ~$1,345/month (standard levy).

The One-Time Setup Costs

Before your helper even arrives, you will cover these one-time costs. Here is what most Singapore employers actually pay in 2026:

Item	Cost (SGD)	Notes
Placement fee & agency service	$1,500 – $2,500	Varies by agency
Maid insurance (1-year policy)	~$200 – $420	MOM minimum coverage $15,000
Work permit application	$35	Application fee (MOM)
Work permit issuance	$30	Issuance fee (MOM)
Medical examination (home country)	$100 – $200	Pre-employment
Security bond	$5,000	Refundable — not a fee you lose
Round-trip airfare	$300 – $500	Indonesia / Philippines
One-time total	~$2,300 – $4,000	Depends on your choices

The $5,000 security bond looks scary, but it is refundable — it is a bank guarantee, not a fee. Your real upfront spend is the $2,300–$4,000 range above.

The Monthly Costs

Here is what you will pay every single month while your helper works for you. This is where the food budget and levy rate make the biggest difference:

Item	Monthly cost (SGD)	Notes
Salary	$550 – $700	New helper, 2026 rates
MOM levy (concessionary)	$60	SG citizen w/ child under 16 or elderly
MOM levy (standard)	$300	Standard rate
Food & groceries	$200 – $400	MOM guideline: adequate food required
Medical insurance (monthly equiv.)	$17 – $35	Annual premium ÷ 12
Phone & communication	~$25	Basic plan / prepaid
Miscellaneous	$30 – $50	Toiletries, treats, outings
Monthly total	$880 – $1,830	Levy + food dependent

The single biggest lever is the levy: a concessionary rate of $60 instead of the standard $300 saves you $240 a month — $2,880 a year. Check whether you qualify before hiring.

Monthly Breakdown by Scenario

Not every household pays the same. Here is how two typical Singapore families compare in 2026:

Line item	Scenario A: citizen family	Scenario B: dual-income couple
Helper nationality	Indonesian	Filipino
Salary	$580	$650
MOM levy	$60 (concessionary)	$300 (standard)
Food	$250	$300
Insurance	$30	$30
Phone	$25	$25
Miscellaneous	$40	$40
Total per month	$985	$1,345
Annual total	~$11,820	~$16,140

What You Are Getting for That Money

Before you baulk at the numbers, remember what the monthly cost buys you: full-time help with childcare, eldercare, housework, cooking and errands — roughly 12 hours of coverage a day, seven days a week (minus rest days). Divide $985 by that and you are paying a fraction of what a full-time local caregiver or childcare arrangement would cost. The cheapest comparable alternative — a nursing home for an elderly parent — runs $2,500–$4,500 a month for shared care.

Hidden Costs to Budget For

The line items above cover the essentials, but real households also budget for:

• Rest day expenses — if she eats out on rest days, budget $10–$15 per day extra

• Festive gifts — CNY ang bao and birthday gestures (a few hundred a year)

• Medical emergencies — even with insurance, co-pays and hospital deposits add up

• Replacement costs if she leaves early — the agency fee does not always cover a rehire

If a medical emergency ever happens, your helper's insurance and your obligations under MOM matter — see our guide on Can You Afford a Helper and the MOM eligibility rules for how to prepare financially.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does it cost to hire a maid in Singapore?

Hiring a maid in Singapore costs between $880 and $1,830 per month in 2026. That includes salary ($550–$700), the MOM levy ($60 concessionary or $300 standard), food ($200–$400), insurance, and phone. You will also pay roughly $2,300–$4,000 in one-time setup costs before your helper arrives.

What is the cost of hiring a maid in Singapore per month?

A typical monthly breakdown: salary $550–$700, levy $60–$300, food $200–$400, insurance $17–$35, phone ~$25, miscellaneous $30–$50. Most families land between $985 and $1,345 a month.

How much does it cost to get a maid in Singapore (one-time)?

One-time setup costs total approximately $2,300–$4,000: placement fee $1,500–$2,500, insurance ~$200–$420, medical exam $100–$200, work permit fees $65, airfare $300–$500. The $5,000 security bond is refundable.

What is the minimum maid salary in Singapore 2026?

The typical monthly salary for a new domestic helper in Singapore is $550–$700 in 2026, depending on nationality and experience. The current minimum salary threshold for new helpers is $600.

How much is the maid levy in Singapore?

The MOM foreign domestic worker levy is $300 per month at the standard rate. Singapore citizens with a child under 16 or elderly dependents may qualify for the concessionary rate of $60 per month.

What is the total cost of hiring a maid in Singapore for the first year?

For a citizen family on the concessionary levy, plan for roughly $11,800–$13,000 in year one (setup ~$2,300–$4,000 + ~$985/month). For a standard-levy household, expect ~$16,000–$20,000 ($1,345/month + setup).

The Bottom Line

Hiring a domestic helper in Singapore in 2026 will cost you roughly $880–$1,830 a month and $2,300–$4,000 up front. The smartest money moves: check your levy concession eligibility, set a realistic food budget, and work with an agency that is transparent about fees. If you are a first-time employer, read our guide on the 5 critical mistakes to avoid — and compare the costs against a live-in vs nursing home arrangement before you decide.

Ready to find the help your home deserves? Check out our guide on which nationality suits you best.

Let us guide you home.

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